Independent Living Briefs

A 53-year-old man with Multiple Sclerosis from Webster county could not get out of his house without assistance. A ramp was built, and now he can come and go as he pleases, giving both him and his wife more independence.

A 51-year-old man with Multiple Sclerosis from Ida county could not get out of his home without neighbors carrying him down the steps, in his powder chair. Ramping was not possible. A porch lift was obtained so that now he can leave the home, visit friends, shop with his wife; in short do what others do.

A 59-year-old woman with severe arthritis, from Mahaska county, could not get in and out of her bathtub, not manage the steps to the home entrance. Minor assistive devices (grab bars) and ramping gave her increased independence in her home, and access to her community again.

A 36-year-old woman with quadriplegia from Page county could not leave her home without husband's assistance. Home modifications including ramping and extensive sidewalk gave her a chance to go outside and enjoy nature, and allow husband to return to farm work.

A 68-year-old-woman with post polio residuals from Pottawattamie county could no longer climb stairs. A stair lift allowed her to have access to her bedroom and bath, after sleeping in the living room for a year.

A 41-year-old client with Multiple Sclerosis from Black Hawk county was not able to bathe nor leave home without assistance. Bathroom modifications and ramping provided independence at home and in the community.

A 74-year-old man with stroke residuals from Mills county could no longer manage stairs. A ramp gave him the freedom to leave his home and visit friends and business in his small town.

A 73-year-old man with Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) from Polk County could not get out of his house without his children or neighbors carrying him down steps. A ramp gave him back some independence to visit friends or go to the store with his wife.

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